Even with multiple detours and moments of uncertainty, THEÍA GEMS CEO Kristine Joy Agcopra passionately persevered and now strives to awaken the goddess in every woman
Dreams, goals, aspirations—everyone has at least one. We’ve all got something we long for in our lives, whether we admit it or not. From materialistic possessions to the cravings of the soul, having a dream is something innate to us humans. We’ve all seen or heard stories of success or heroic redemption arcs, and all of them have one thing in common—it all started from one simple dream. From there, it was only a matter of making the dream come to life.
They say dreaming is easy; all we need to do is close our eyes. But For Kristine Joy Agcopra, CEO of local jewelry brand THEÍA GEMS, her very dream now fondly greets her at every waking moment as she willed it into reality through sheer dedication and tenacity.
A multi-faceted gem
As a kid, we were always asked what we wanted to be growing up. Some people stay true to that dream and pursue it when they get older. Others, however, grow out of their original plans and decide to go on a different path. Even during adulthood, changes in your goals and dreams are inevitable. This is the reality Kristine found herself in, with a looming feeling of dissatisfaction every step of the way.
Before Kristine became a fully fledged business woman, she was a wandering dreamer, entering different fields in school and career. “[I] graduated Cum Laude, [became] a registered nurse, and [was] a flight attendant for more than a decade,” the entrepreneur shared when asked who really is behind the thriving jewelry brand.
These shifts transpired quickly. After graduating at the young age of 19, she immediately passed the board exams and became a registered nurse at 20. In a swift change of heart, she became a flight attendant that same year. A few years later, she was quickly assigned overseas as an international flight attendant at 24.
On top of her regular flights, Kristine also opened her own online shop back in 2012 where she sold jewelry she accumulated during her travels abroad. “Being an international flight attendant based in the Middle East, I used it as an advantage to search for reputable suppliers that could help me grow my business. During my off days and even just after my every flight, I would go straight to the Gold Souq to continue my search [for jewelry] and expand my then online shop,” the young CEO shares.
Even though her life before entrepreneurship was one huge turn after another, poised to start a professional life in the medical field then switching to the airline industry, these experiences molded Kristine to the woman she is today. She became courageous and a bona fide risk-taker, unafraid to take leaps of faith in order to reach her dreams.
Awakening the goddess
They say that if something is meant for you, it will always find its way to you. For Kristine’s case, after years of trying out different career paths, her true calling slowly came to her senses—even if it took more than a decade to become a reality.
However, much like our ever-changing paths in life, unpredictabilities await in every corner. 2020 struck, the pandemic happened, and millions of people lost their jobs—including Kristine. When the borders closed, she wasn’t able to travel anymore, which also meant not being able to revisit her suppliers for her online business. She once again set out to a different career path in hopes of having a steady job. “I ventured into real estate successfully, but somehow, there was this longing for me to go back to selling jewelry,” she confides.
She always yearned to become a business woman, as if it was written in the stars. Although the world was still getting back to where it left off at that time, Kristine took another leap of faith and reestablished her online jewelry shop in 2022. This time, however, it became bigger and better. “By some stroke of luck, I discovered the competitive, yet rich market of lab grown diamonds and moissanites from the Middle East and India and introduced it here in the Philippines. [Then], THEÍA came into fruition,” she recalls.
Kristine named her brand after Theia, the Greek goddess of divine light who endowed brilliant gold, silver, and gems. “I chose the name Theia, [because it] really captures the message that I wanted my brand of jewelry to represent—a shiny and brilliant piece for the goddess within every woman,” she expresses.
“Jewelry fits the equation of beauty because like a woman’s beauty, it is timeless.”
Kristine on how jewelry and beauty are interconnected.
The businesswoman founded her brand that specializes in conflict-free jewelry. Traditionally, diamonds and other precious stones are earth-mined. However, THEÍA GEMS mostly forwent that mining process to also promote lab-grown stones along with their vast selection of natural earth-mined diamonds. Though the process of getting the stones are different from one another, the quality and appearance are parallel to each other.
Eternal shine
From the medical field, to the airline industry, and then the world of real estate, Kristine has traversed many paths, indeed. However, all of those were just the prelude to the brilliant glimmer that was waiting for her beyond the gates that held her back for so long.
“I risked everything to put up THEÍA amid the pandemic,” she mentions. Even though it took a decade and multiple career shifts for her to get to where she is now, Kristine just kept her true goal in mind and passionately set forth in achieving it. “[I’ve] instilled in [my] mind that if I want something, I must work hard for it,” she says.
Determined she was, and persevered she did because not only did she bravely follow her dreams, she has also transformed it into an avenue wherein every Filipina is given a chance to reignite and discover the beauty in them. “THEÍA GEMS [is] a living testimony that nothing is impossible if you just act on your dreams,” she imparts.
They say diamonds are forever, and Kristine’s relationship with her loyal customers further strengthens this claim as her jewelry has been ever-present in her customers’ memorable milestones in life. “Some of these clients go way, way back and we have grown together. I am also so blessed that they made me a part of their lives. Starting from their first big purchase [from] their first-ever salary, to their engagements and weddings. Being a part of my clients’ milestones is the biggest achievement so far,” she fondly shares.
Having jewelry adorn you has always had this sense of regality—a timeless piece guaranteed to boost one’s confidence, making you radiant and beautiful altogether. Calling jewelry mere accessories is simply a great underestimation of its true value for they are statement pieces that bring out the genuine sparkle in every woman.
“Jewelry has such a big impact on women’s confidence because it is like taking control of your appearance, that you choose to wear such beautiful pieces that will make you feel and look good,” Kristine explains.
“Jewelry speaks to your sense of style, gives you the feeling of power, and ultimately boosts your confidence.”
Kristine on how jewelry can impact one’s confidence.
In a short period of time, THEÍA GEMS has prospered into this successful brand. Although Kristine has acknowledged this massive achievement, she believes that THEÍA still has a long way to go. “I pray that THEÍA GEMS will be known and recognized, not just in the country, but worldwide… I believe that I could still do more. I take my learnings day by day and I strive to be better everyday. I never compare myself with anyone as we have our own timeline. I consider myself as a newbie and I would really love to and eager to learn more,” she says.
Life is indeed a complex journey, filled with uncertainties and bumps along the road. Kristine might’ve taken a few detours as she traversed her path but between her years of hard work and unrelenting determination, she also trusted the most important person in her story—herself.
Creative Direction KRISTOFF SISON
Art Direction NIEL JHED IBAY
Photography EXCEL PANLAQUE
Styling JERALD IGNACIO
Makeup IZY SILLEVA of SETTE SB ARTISTRY
Hair JELLA CAPISTRANO of SETTE SB ARTISTRY
Shoot Coordination TONI CALINGASAN and ERIKA QUERUBIN
Shot on location SINE POP MANILA
